A rugby star who says he feared he would killed by nightclub bouncers in a 'nightmare' attack has denied claims he is 'bigging up' the incident in a bid for compensation money.

Luke Adamson, 26, was playing for Salford Red Devils at the time of the early hours incident at Deansgate Locks, which he said left his head 'pouring with blood' and his leg 'black and blue' – an injury which he says kept him out of the following week's game.

It is alleged in a Manchester Crown Court trial that doormen used 'excessive' force to restrain Mr Adamson after the second row forward and his brother Tobias, who also previously played for the Red Devils, were escorted from Sugar Buddha in a row over a drink.

It's alleged that at the height of the violence a bouncer jumped from a bench onto Luke Adamson's head as he was held down by two other doormen.

Mr Adamson, who currently plays for Halifax, told court his alleged attackers said 'we're gonna kill you...there's nothing you can do'.

Mr Vaccari's defence allege that the brothers were 'up for it' - tearing off their tops 'Rambo-style' outside the club, with Luke Adamson biting the defendant's finger 'like an animal' during the incident.

Luke Adamson says he acted 'defensively'.

Richard Orme, defending, claimed that as they were escorted from the club following a complaint from a punter, Tobias Adamson broke Mr Vaccari's nose with a punch, and that as doormen attempted to restrain his brother, 'immensely powerful' Luke Adamson swung a 'haymaker' at the head bouncer.

Luke Adamson told the jury that he and his brother had 'done nothing wrong' in the club and that Tobias had been falsely accused of stealing someone's drink during a 'relaxed' night out after a Stone Roses' gig on July 1 2012.

He said he did not see Tobias hit Mr Vaccari, but admitted having 'swung a punch' at the defendant because he thought his brother was being attacked by doormen when he got outside the bar.

It's alleged that after Luke Adamson was brought to the ground, he was subjected to up to 30 blows and stamps to the head, and that the doormen tried to 'break his shoulder', 'snap' his little finger,' gouge out' his eyes and 'rip off' of his ears.

Questioning the severity of the defendant's injuries, which included lacerations and bruising, Mr Orme said: “You would accept that if they wanted to cause really serious harm they would've done?”

“They did”, replied Luke Adamson, adding: “That comes down to how strong I am...I'd like to see that force used on yourself and see how many injuries you come back with.”

When asked if he was in the process of trying to obtain compensation from Sugar Buddha, Mr Adamson said: “I don't know what dealings are going through solicitors.”

“You need to big this up don't you? You need a conviction don't you, because a lot of money depends on it”, Mr Orme said.